Paintbrushes Stand at the Ready in Stollen. . .

For Immediate Release:

Painting in Earnest to Resume in Zum Stollenkeller!

Latest Battalion Possibly Ready for Summer Campaign Season

Krankenstadt, Grand Duchy of Stollen, 10 May 1768 -- Recently shamed into action by Hesse-Seewald’s “Alte Fritz”, Stollen’s tailors stand ready to begin clothing the next battalion, slated to join the slowly growing collection of 18^th century miniatures who now occupy Zum Stollenkeller. Rumors abound as to the precise details of the uniform in question. However, those closest to the developing situation generally adhere to the opinion that the uniform will resemble that worn by the Irish regiment of “Wild Geese” as seen on the front and rear covers of Young and Lawford’s chestnut Charge! Or How to Play Wargames.

As a Jäger Battalion, the New Unit Will Carry No Standard in the Field

Thanks to clear pictures of the standard carried by Brigadier Young’s troops, the unit in question has been identified as the historic Berwick Regiment. The battalion currently awaiting its clothing in Zum Stollenkeller will wear a similar uniform: red coats, green facings and small clothes, white breeches, and yellow lace – details apparently shared by several units of Wild Geese during the 18^th century. Unlike Brigadier Young’s unit, however, these troops will fight as a battalion of Grenzer and so will not carry a standard in the field.

The Trusted Colonel O’Malley to Assume Command in June

Once fully clothed and trained, the infantry in question will assume their duties, fighting for the Electorate of Zichenau, presumably in late-May or early June. The battalion’s full title will be The Most Honorable 1^st Grenzer Battalion, many of its ranks being drawn from men of Irish stock. The highly capable Colonel Thomas O’Malley is set to assume command of the unit, and is reported to have set sail recently from Dublin.

Highly popular with the men, O’Malley is also well educated in European languages. Although the language of command within The Most Honorable 1^st Grenzer Battalion will be English, the Colonel also speaks German, French, Russian, and a smattering of Hungarian. He will therefore be able to communicate well with his subordinate officers and men. Without a doubt, this will help the unit to maintain a high morale while on campaign. Therefore, it is widely believed that Zichenau’s as yet untried Grenzer will, nevertheless, be able to give Stollen’s Jäger zu Fuβ a run for their money on the fields of Mars.

RSM95 Figures Used Bear Odd Resemblance to Young’s Willie Figures

On a related note, the RSM (French musketeer) figures being used for this particular painting project are interesting castings. Not only is the firing pose of the men remarkably like that of Ted Suren’s “Willie” figures depicted on the covers of Charge!, but these same figures seem to be somewhat less finely sculpted than some of the other RSM figures with which I am familiar, namely the Prussian grenadiers.

The difference between the RSM Prussian and French figures seem very similar to the differences between the finely sculpted Stadden/Tradition figures on one hand and the slightly rougher, less perfect Willie castings on the other. Does anyone know if Steve Hezzlewood sculpted the masters for the French? My guess is that he didn’t given the apparent differences I’ve outlined here.

Painting to Begin This Evening and Continue Tomorrow

Meanwhile, back in Zum Stollenkeller, Games Workshop Goblin Green awaits application to the figure bases this evening. Flesh will be applied to the hands and faces tomorrow. Hair and Colonel O’Malley’s wig will follow on Monday along with (possibly) a start on the dark green smallclothes, for which a tin of Humbrol Rifle Green stands ready. As soon as Stollen’s official photographer gets the new digital camera figured out, a few photos of painting progress will appear right here. Stay tuned!

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